I'm obviously very biased, so I won't say much. I'll just give the links.Since spring 2010 when he officially retired, in a bit more than three years Stéphane created and skated the following 18(!) programs (those with ** are exceptional and on the level of his competitive masterpieces, in my opinion; those with * are really-really good, some people would probably even choose part of them as their exceptional ones too; there were also some "one day" projects he created "on demand" for the specific show, like "Caruso" for Plushenko's anniversary or part of his programs for AOI):

Add to this choreographies he did for Ten, Machida, Takahashi, Ando.
Add to this his two off ice projects: comical show "Le Revue" and "Rock Circus" which is running right now.

I couldn't wish for him better pro career. To tell the truth I couldn't even imagine HOW fruitful and amazing it is going be. And he is still young and has some more years of skating ahead of him, I hope. The only thing I would like to wish him is health, and to continue like this for at least ten more years. In short, to be like Kurt (my first, unquestionable, choice in this poll).

Boitano was the most successful but I think Browning was best. Had pro skating not started to go under after 98 he would have matched or exceeded Boitano's 6 World Pro titles IMHO, and I just enjoyed his skating alot more. Boitano was excellent technically but rarely did anything outside his norm as far as programs go.

3rd best? Not really sure. Either Stephane Lambiel for all his amazing show skating even in an era with virtually no pro competition, or Robin Cousins. I guess it could be Hamilton but I never liked him or his skating.

Actually Paul Wylie should have been my pick as 3rd best. Really came into his own as a pro.

Both these programs were skated later during the Olympic season, and "Otono" was initially created as his competitive program for season 2008/09. He used many of his older programs when he become pro in 2010, also both his competitive programs from his Olympic season ("Tell" and "La Traviata"), which are exquisite and absolute **. But I decided to mention only completely new programs, even only of those he had 18!

I'm obviously very biased, so I won't say much. I'll just give the links.Since spring 2010 when he officially retired, in a bit more than three years Stéphane created and skated the following 18(!) programs (those with ** are exceptional and on the level of his competitive masterpieces, in my opinion; those with * are really-really good, some people would probably even choose part of them as their exceptional ones too; there were also some "one day" projects he created "on demand" for the specific show, like "Caruso" for Plushenko's anniversary or part of his programs for AOI):

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Thanks a lot, reut. I will link other videos of some programs, if you don't mind. Don't understand me wrongly, I am not blaming you for linking the "wrong" videos, as you probably didn't have that much time to search for videos anyway. But I have the time now, and I think that there are performances and videos that show those programs better:

"Bring Me To Life" by Katherine Jenkinshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpmTl1wARdU (I think this is his best performance of 'Bring Me To Life', and the video is certainly better than that 'Art on Ice' video where they show Jenkins half of the time)

Prelude in G minor (Op. 23, No. 5) by Sergei Rachmaninovhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XQnJnL_1PX4 (probably Stephane lacks energy a bit here, but the silence during the skate lets you appreciate his perfect feel for music in this program - the Moskvina show performance was good, but Stepahne was a bit off the music in the beginning which is so rare for him)

"Puttin' on the Ritz" ("Summertime" by Nina Simone, "Alejandro" by Lady Gaga, "Puttin' on the Ritz" by Rufus Wainwright)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwbFWXUclSo (not of good quality, but I just think Stephane was in better shape here than at 'All That Skate Summer' 2012 which was his first show after the health problems last summer)

"A Chorus Line" by Marvin Hamlischhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhDq8n0dQao (the same as always - better than the TV video where the commentators talk all over the beginning, an then some, although the last part of the music still can't be heard because of the screaming Korean fans (thanks to dangdanghada))

Yes, Curry is my "Other" choice too after Browning and Lambiel. Robin Cousins is close, though. I must admit that I became a figure skating fan long after the professional competitions had ceased to exist. I have seen some of the performances, but I don't remember (or simply don't know) who won what. So, I can't be really objective, and can judge only from what I have seen. In any case, the skater's artistry is more important to me than medals and wins. What Curry and Robin Cousins have done in their professional programs is too amazing for them to not be included among the most successful professional skaters (I am not blaming you, Vash01 - I know that there are only twelve options available for polls). As for Lambiel, I may not be objective, but I feel that this counting of medals in professional competitions is a bit unfair towards the skaters who went into professionals after those competitions had ceased to exist, so I feel justified in voting for him. Jeffrey Buttle is quite close when it comes to the current professional skaters, though.

Boitano was excellent technically but rarely did anything outside his norm as far as programs go.

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Some of Boitano's pro programs were deadly boring, plus he repeated the same ones so often in competitions. I know other skaters did, but he did more so. It got to the point when I was thinking, "THAT one again? REALLY?" I was only a kid at the time lol.

The first two were easy for me. Brian Boitano and Kurt Browning. They were professional mens skating for many years. The last vote went to Kulik because he kept up his technical content so well as a professional.

Don't understand me wrongly, lauravvv, but "things you prefer" and "right" are far from being synonyms. I had time and chose those videos I wanted to post. The whole point was just to give a glimpse of what he did and to make people to look for more if they got interested. This thread is not about Stéphane, there is no reason to turn it into such. If you want, you can start another thread, dedicated to him only, where you will explain in details which videos and why you prefer.

Don't understand me wrongly, lauravvv, but "things you prefer" and "right" are far from being synonyms. I had time and chose those videos I wanted to post. The whole point was just to give a glimpse of what he did and to make people to look for more if they got interested. This thread is not about Stéphane, there is no reason to turn it into such. If you want, you can start another thread, dedicated to him only, where you will explain in details which videos and why you prefer.

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So, you don't agree about fan videos versus TV videos, or videos where the focus is only on the skater (Stephane, in this case) versus videos where it is on the singer half the time ? Anyway, where did I say something about "right"? I put the word "wrong" in "" marks for a reason. I know that this thread is not about Stephane, but anyone is free to post videos of the skaters that are included in this poll - as did you. I wouldn't have posted any videos of Stephane, if you hadn't done that first. Plus, you are not a moderator of this forum. And our age difference is not that huge. So I don't think that you are in a position to lecture me on what I can, or can not post (here, or on some other thread).

I don't agree that your choices are "righter" than mine, yes. There are many reasons why I chose videos that I chose. I might discuss them in that separate thread if you open it. I might not. And it has nothing to do with the age difference. And with this thread.

I don't agree that your choices are "righter" than mine, yes. There are many reasons why I chose videos that I chose. I might discuss them in that separate thread if you open it. I might not. And it has nothing to do with the age difference. And with this thread.

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I understand that you had your reasons. It was/is just my opinion that the videos I posted show those programs better. It's true that in most cases I stated it as a fact, simply because I do believe that the best fan videos often show skater's skating/programs better than the official videos, and videos that focus only on skaters almost always show their skating better than the videos that focus on the singer just as much as on the skater/skaters. I posted those videos of Stephane because I wanted to, and I don't think that I had to ask you for permission - this is not your personal fan group, or even your thread. The lack of considerable age difference was just one of the reasons (and a non-essential one at that, indeed) why I think that you are not in a position to lecture me. End of "discussion".

Question for Boitano fans. Do you just like his style, or do you see variety in his programs? I swear he's skated the exact same program since turning professional. Kurt's programs are so varied, but Boitano to me just seems to do the exact same thing over and over and over.............

Question for Boitano fans. Do you just like his style, or do you see variety in his programs? I swear he's skated the exact same program since turning professional. Kurt's programs are so varied, but Boitano to me just seems to do the exact same thing over and over and over.............

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Had exactly the same question and same thoughts

My pick is Stéphane. Kurt is a genius but so is Stéphane. And Stéphane is more exciting for me lol. I like how he keeps creating those masterpiece show programs (maybe not every single one but lots of them). I like how he challenges himself outside his comfort zone which is balletic lyrical skating to a beautiful classical music piece or to a heartbreaking popsong. He is trying mini drama scene (Don't stop the music), rock (Paint it black), musical with stage moves (A Chorus Line). I like how he challenges himself with those quads again and again. And he's so damn handsome - not a bad thing either for a pro skater.

The complexity/variety/excitement of the footwowk and transitions in Browning's programs is unmatched in my book. After watching Kurt skate, I feel that the skating of most of the other pro men on the list is just...basic. Watch Ain't No Sunshine or Triptico if you don't believe me. lol I don't care that he lost his hair.

The complexity/variety/excitement of the footwowk and transitions in Browning's programs is unmatched in my book. After watching Kurt skate, I feel that the skating of most of the other pro men on the list is just...basic. Watch Ain't No Sunshine or Triptico if you don't believe me. lol I don't care that he lost his hair.

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I don't remember anyone saying that they don't believe that Kurt is the best when it comes to using footwork as a means to express the music . He is also an incredible performer. There is no one like him when it comes to comical/humorous programs - he has turned that form of entertainment into art. But he also does serious programs really well.

So, I would agree that the footwork of most of the men on the list can seem basic compared to Kurt's. But, no matter how important that is in figure skating, there are also other means of expression in it at which some of those skaters excel. I would single out Lambiel and Buttle for their incredible musicality and grace, and for other things as well, but probably also Cranston and Wylie for that special something that they had. Plus, of course Curry (definitely the most balletic male skater ever, and one of if not the most elegant), and Robin Cousins, both of whom are not mentioned in this poll.

I'd put Lambiel as 2nd and Buttle as 3rd. Both are good but no one is better than Kurt.

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For his whole professional career definitely Kurt, yes, as he dominated the professional scene for so long when professional competitions were still taking place. I also agree that there is no one like him, and no one better. Still, in my opinion, Curry, Robin Cousins and Lambiel are all very different from Browning and, at the same time, equal to him in their own ways. Some of the other ones are close.

Question for Boitano fans. Do you just like his style, or do you see variety in his programs? I swear he's skated the exact same program since turning professional. Kurt's programs are so varied, but Boitano to me just seems to do the exact same thing over and over and over.............

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I also don't understand the votes for Boitano, and agree he has only ever skated one professional program over and over. Even the costumes barely changed. Airplane arms, perfect jumps, great spread eagle, lots of crossovers both forward and backward - over and over and over.
My picks are Kurt of course, though I'm not a great fan of his trying to be funny numbers (except Ragodin where he really was funny, and the straw man from Wizard of Oz)), Buttle for his extraordinary musicality and expressiveness, and Lambiel for the same, though I've seen some fabulous programs from Petrenko over the years. His "Birth of the Blues" is one of the best show performances I've seen.

I also don't understand the votes for Boitano, and agree he has only ever skated one professional program over and over. Even the costumes barely changed. Airplane arms, perfect jumps, great spread eagle, lots of crossovers both forward and backward - over and over and over.
My picks are Kurt of course, though I'm not a great fan of his trying to be funny numbers (except Ragodin where he really was funny, and the straw man from

I am not even remotely a fan of Boitano's skating and agree 100% that his programs are almost all the same and completely boring, but I would still consider it reasonable to vote for him in a poll like this simply because of the way he upped the ante with respect to technical content as a pro. I may not have any interest in watching his skating (his programs almost always get skipped if I watch an old pro competition) but I do respect the dedication he had to maintaining his technical content. He really forced all of the other men to step up their game.

I ended up voting for Browning only because it was too hard to pick the next two I do agree with allilou about Kurt's "attempting to be funny programs"...even though I did enjoy Ragidon, I wish it hadn't been such a success because I think it gave Kurt too much encouragement to keep going in that direction and those programs got old fast. Luckily he had so many other amazing programs that it makes him pretty much unbeatable. The work he did as director and choreographer for last year's SOI show was also incredible. But what I was most amazed at was when watching him do "Feelin' Good" live at SOI last year, I had goosebumps...and in a show where he was 18 years older than the next oldest skater and included some of my favorite skaters (Rochette, Buttle, Virtue/Moir), I still walked away saying that Kurt's performance was the highlight. That says a lot right there.